Glossary terms beginning with D

Daddy long legs

a term used to describe a type of fly, a harvestman or a spider depending on where you live in the world.
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Damselflies

cf. Odonata - the Odonata (or dragonflies and damselflies) are an Order of insects. They have large, membranous wings and the larvae are usually aquatic predators.

Darkling beetle

a species of beetle that is dark in colour and less than 2cm in length when adult. The larvae of the beetle are called mealworms and are captive bred for use as live food.
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Darwinism

the term used to describe the process of evolution through natural selection.
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Dengue fever

a disease, caused by the Dengue virus, transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.
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Dermaptera

Dermaptera (or earwigs) are an Order of insects. The abdomen ends in characteristic pincers called cerci.
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Dermestidae

a family of beetles often known as carpet beetles or larder beetles.
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Detritivore

detritivores are animals whose diet is primarily composed of decaying organic matter.
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Diapause

the arrested development of an organism. Diapause is often the result of environmental conditions.
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Dichotomous key

a method used to help identify an organism.
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Dimorphism

the presence of two different forms of an organism in a population.
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Diplopoda

the Diplopoda are a group of arthropods more commonly known as millipedes.
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Diplura

the Diplura/two-pronged bristletails are one of the three non-insect hexapod classes of invertebrates.
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Diptera

the Diptera/true flies are an Order of insects. Characteristically they have one pair of wings, the hind wings being reduced to balance organs called halteres.
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Direct flight muscles

direct flight muscles are muscles connected to the wing of an insect.
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Discal cell

a cell in the wing of some insects.
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Distal

the part of an appendage (leg, wing, antenna etc) that is farthest from the body.
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Diurnal

diurnal animals are those that are active during the day.
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Dobsonfly

cf. Megaloptera - the Order Megaloptera are primitive insects. The Order contains about 300 species. Insects in the Order are known by a variety of names including Alderflies, Dobsonflies and Fishflies.

Domatia

structures produced by plants for arthropods that they have a symbiotic relationship with. These structures usually provide the arthropods with shelter.
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Doodlebug

cf. Myrmeleontidae - the Myrmeleontidae are a Family of Neuroptera commonly called Antlions. The adults superficially resemble dragonflies. The larvae are well-known for their predatory habit.

Dorsal

the upper surface of an organism.
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Dragonflies

cf. Odonata - the Odonata (or dragonflies and damselflies) are an Order of insects. They have large, membranous wings and the larvae are usually aquatic predators.

Drawdown zone

A frequently exposed area at the edge of a body of water.
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Drone

the name given to male bees.
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Dry fly

cf. Cicada - insects in the Order Hemiptera. They are best known for their long life cycles and loud song.

Dynastinae

cf. Rhinoceros beetle - a subfamily of Scarab beetles. Rhinoceros beetles are some of the largest of the beetles. The males have characteristic horns.